Fluid flow control housing



y 1965 R. c. MOORE Q 3,194,305

FLUID FLOW CONTROL HOUSING Filed May 14, 1962 United States Patent 3,194,305 FLUID FLOW CONTROL HOUSING Robert C. Moore, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor to Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed May 14, 1962, Ser. No. 194,434 4 Claims. (Cl. 165-47) This invention relates to fluid flow control housings, particularly to housings that reverse the direction of fluid flow.

There are many flow systems wherein fluid is circulated into and out of a structure. Usually this fluid is utilized in a heat exchange capacity as for cooling. An example is an air cooled motor. Many of these motor installations, particularly of a partially enclosed type, have a fluid housing in communication with the motor housing for directing the flow of air. The fluid housing may he an integral part of the motor housing or it may be a separate structure adapted to take a particular position in relation to the motor housing either by direct contact or by proper duct work for conduit connections. Regardless of the form of the fluid housing its function is to determine a path for the air as it is carried into and out of the motor housing. A portion of the fluid housing passes air to the motor housing from the atmosphere and another portion of the fluid housing receives the air after it leaves the motor housing and passes it to the atmosphere. Among the advantages of utilizing a fluid housing for controlling the direction of the flow of fluid is that the relative positions of the external flow paths to each other are not dictated by the particular configuration of the motor and motor housing. The use of a fluid housing with appropriate construction allows the supply and exhaust fluid stream to be directed in a manner that avoids cross circulation and communication between the exhausting and receiving streams in the atmosphere. Another advantage is that the location of the ports in communication with the atmosphere may be more fully based on maintenance and convenience requirements.

While the use of a typical fiuid housing enables an initial choice in the locaiton of the ports exhausting and receiving air from the atmosphere, after the port are located they are not easily changeable. That is, the inlet ports will always be inlet ports and the outlet ports will always be outlet ports. Even though the most desirable arrangement may be selected, many situations arise which result in the existence of a temporary inconvenient or dangerous condition. For example, when it becomes necessary to change filters in these flow systems it is necessary to stop the operation of the motor so that dirt does not enter the motor while the filter is removed. Also, when it is necessary to work in the immediate area of the fluid housing, the motor may have to be stopped so that the personnel may work conveniently or safely.

In some prior art housings the intake and discharge ports open upward so that the possibility of interference with work projects and personnel is decreased to some degree. However, this construction eliminates a large part of the advantage previously mentioned inherent in using -a multidirectional distribution of inlet and outlet ports so as to prevent cross circulation. Also, with all but the smallest motors it often makes it more diflicult to observe and replace filters.

In the fluid housing of this invention the ports in communication with the atmosphere are reversible so that each can be alternately operated as an inlet port or an outlet port. This reversal is accomplished by utilization of an easily movable baflie or baflles that selectively determine different internal flow paths. When the inlet filters become plugged or dirty the flow paths to the fluid housing from the atmosphere can be reversed.

3,1943% Patented July 13, 1965 Therefore, by placing filters on the initial outlet ports the dirty filters can be replaced while the motor is running without the risk of admitting dirt into the motor. Also, in some installations the reversal of the flow direction may be utilized for cleaning the filters Without actual removal. Similarly, the direction may be reversed when the particular direction of the flow path is inconvenient or dangerous to personnel working in the affected area.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved means for reversing the fluid flow direction into and out of a fluid housing.

Another object of this invention is to accomplish the reversal of the fluid flow direction in a single housing structure without the utilization of complex, cross connected, valved conduits.

Another object is to provide a new and improved fluid control housing capable of reversing fluid flow direction.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, idealized oblique View of a motor housing with an attached fluid flow control housing embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the fluid flow control housing, shown in FIG. 1, with its external walls shown as plane surfaces and with the baffles in a first position;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional top view of the fluid flow control housing taken along the plane III-HI1II of FIG. 2 but with the bafiies in a second position;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a fluid flow control housing of another embodiment of this invention with the baffles in a first position taken with one wall, the facing wall, removed;

FIG. 5 is the same end view as FIG. 4 with the baffles in a second position; and

FIG. 6 is an oblique view taken similarly to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of this invention.

' While there are many usable variations and combinations of this invention, the preferred embodiment is one adapted for use with a common type of motor housing. The preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fluid flow control housing has a plurality of ports in communication with atmosphere and with ports in a motor housing for forming several flow paths through the fluid housing connecting the atmosphere to the motor housing. The motor housing encloses a motor and has means for drawing the cooling air through the motor and exhausting it out of the motor housing into the fluid housing. Directing means consisting of battles and means for rotating the baflles are provided within the fluid housing to enable selection and determination of the flow paths.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid flow control housing 10 is attached to a motor housing 11 which encloses a motor 12. The motor housing has four intake ports 21, 22, 23 and 24 for drawing fluid into an exhaust port 25 and for exhausting fluid out of the motor housing.

The fluid flow control housing has a plurality of ports in its walls comprising: fluid ports 31, 32, 33 and 34; discharge ports 41, 42, 43 and 44; and receiving port 45. Discharge ports 41, 42, 43 and 44 directly communicate with intake ports 21, 22, 23' and 24, respectively, of the motor housing. Likewise, receiving port 45 of the fluid housing directly communicates with exhaust port 25 of the motor housing. The intake and exhaust ports of the motor housing are selectively connectable through the discharge and receiving ports of fluid housing 10 to one or more of fluid ports 31, 32, 33 and 34 by the rotation of baflies 20 which are rotatably mounted in the fluid housing. The baflies are rotated by the operation of a controlling means 13 which consists in part of a control lever 14. i

In the operation of a fluid housing embodying this invention, referring to FIG. 1, motor 12 enclosed by Y axis by means of supportshafts 53-," 54 and 55.5

1 of clarity.) I

FIG. 4 shows the baflies, in a "first position: that is,

the motor through discharge ports. 41 and '42, and into the other end "of the motor through discharge ports 43 and 44.: The airis circulated (normally for cooling pur-' poses) through the windings and structure of the motor,

passed out of the :motor at its center portion, andexhausted from the motor housing through exhaust port 25 into the fluid housing through receiving port 45; The

air is appropriately directed within the motor and motorport32; dischargeports 43, and 44 to fluid port 34; and

receiving port 45 to fluid ports 31iand 33 Hence, air

is drawn into the fluid-housing through, fluid ports32i and and is discharged to atmosphere through fluid ports 31' and 33.; r a

Tofforrn the second flow system; shown in FIG." 3, thejbaflies are placed in a .second iposition; In this position discharge ports 41 and 44am connected to fluid port '31; discharge ports 42 and 43 to fluid port 33; andv receiving port 45 to fluid ports 32 and 34. Hence,,air is drawn into the fluid housing through, fluid ports 31 and 33 and is discharged to atmosphere through fluid ports 32 and 34. I i V V a FIGS; 4'and are end views of another embodiment of this invention similar in operation to that shown in FIGS, 1, 2 and 3. In these views therfacing wall (equivalent'to the wall containing fluid port 32," as shown ;in

FIGS;v 1, 2 and 3) is removed so that the internal structure of'the fluid housing may be viewed.

Inthis embodiment the baflies operate as two sets, a.-

.set of baffles is perpendicular to the second set andboth ,are readilyrotatable as described.

In operation the baffles are rotated about a horizontal shaft 54 supports, bafiie '51, support shaft 55 supports baflie 52 and the: hidden support shaft supports the hid den baflle. a The baffles are slotted at the lineof intersection between the'baffles so that they may be rotated.

1 means fofymovably" mounting, the baffl e'sgwithin The slots are exaggerated in the \drawingstfor purposes placed in a second position as shown in FIG. 5, In the second position the first set of bafiles is in a horizontal position and g-the second 'set of bafiles is in a vertical position thereby determining a second flow system equivalent to that shown'in FIG. 3 in which discharge ports 42 and :43 to fluid port 33, and receiving'port ports 32 and 34. v

A modification of the fluid housing vof this invention is shown-inFIG. 6. This particular fluid housing can be used in direct attachment .with an appropriately designed motor housing or it can be used in a conduit network to'r'eve'rse the inlet and outlet flow directions: of

41 ;and 44 are connected to fluid port 31', discharge ports 45to fluid fluid through the conduits;

Some or, all of. the portsmay be located on the side walls 6 8 of the fluid; housing and.still function,thelsame as i 1 a V A baflieptl-lis shownin: a first position (thereby determiningrand selecting a fir nndw: system) whereby dischargeport63 'communicates jwith; first fluid port 61', and receivingiportt64r-communicateszx withsecond fluidrport 62. By rotating baflle"6 tl -"'to;-ra second positiontthereby determining, andiselecting a; second, flow. system), discharge .port 63 'communicates with second fluid port 62, i and' receiving ';port 64;; :cbmmunicates with first fluid port '61. Thus, withthe' baifieiz in the first positionffirst fluid porti 61'iis an outlet: port 1 V and second fluid port 62 is aninIetpQIt-J Withthe baflie i in the second position, first fluid port? 61f and ;second"fi uid port62 are operationally reversed andlfir's'tfluicl port 61 is an inlet port andjsecond 'fluid 'p'ort 62 is'an outlet;

The rotation of the baffle may.-be=-accomplished% hereinafter, described.

port. by anysuitableimeanstr In the descriptionrofthisinvention; air has'beenin'di Y cated as being the-*probable fluid/"However, the inventionis notnecessarilyylimited to theuse of1airjandit isapparent that obviousi-zchanges rriay be"madeto' adapt" this invention for otherfluids, ;Also; themanner-and a means ofQapplying the, invention Yhaveibeen shown in certain expressed embodiments butthere-are manyrmod ifications, .variations and applications possible vgwithout, departing fromithe spirit orexceeding the scope ofjthe invention. i a

Having now particlla'rlyues'cribed and 'ascertained thei nature of my said invention :and the mannerinj which iitis to be performed, I declare that what I clain'ris;

, 1; An air housing comprising: f

a rectangular top wall, agrectangulari bottom' wall, and 1 a first'and second'p'airjof'parallel' sidewalls with said 3 pairs per-pendicular toi'each otherysaid-walls linter' secting to form a'housing'chambengy baffles;

the housing chamber with said 'bafliesmovable'toa spaced apart first position :pa rallel to thefi rst pair 'of sidewallsto divide the housing; chambertinto a side,

side, center,:and'sidechamber; 1 a

a first setof four ports locatedin :the bottomjwall with 1 eachlocated to'communicate with only'a side chant her and'each adjacent a diflerent cornerfof thebottorn wall; a port 'centarlly located int-he bottom wall; and

a second set offourfports each located in a walljto corn municatewith only aside; chamberilwhen the bafli'es are parallel to one pair of side :walls and to corn: municate with only a center chamber whenfthe baffles are perpendicular to' said one pairof side walls,

2.1 An air housing comprisingzi V a top wall, bottom wall, and side walls intersecting to form a housing chambemsxi a plurality of, baffles;v

.means tonmovably mounting;said bafiies the housing chamber withsaid bafiies movable'ito a first position to divide theihousing chamber into a fir p second, and third chamber with said second chamber}; 1 located vbetween said ,firstandthird'j'charnber, and i to, a second position substantially perpendicular .to

chamber;

a first port locatediin'a wall'ofthe housing to be in,

communication with only the first chamber when the battles are in the first position andrwith lonlyth'e fourth discharge port 63, and a 7 receiving port'64 'are located onla top wall dfiof a fluid flow controljhousing '65.- A' first' fluid port ,61' anda -V secondifluid port 62f1are-located on a bott'o'm; wall 6 7."

center, and sidefchamber and movable itoj aspaced f V apart second position parallel tothe second pair of. side walls to dividethe housing chamber into another;

the first position to divide the housing chamberinto V T a fourth, fifth, and sixth :chamber withsaid fifth chamber locatedifbetween'saidefourth' andsixth chamber when the baffles are in the second position;

a second port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the first chamber when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the sixth chamber when the baffles are in the second position;

a third port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the third chamber when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the sixth chamber when the baffles are in the secondposition;

a fourth port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the third chamber when the baffles are in the first position and with only the fourth chamber when the bafiles are in the second position;

a fifth port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the second chamber when the baffies are in the first position and with only the fifth chamber when the baffles are in the second position;

a sixth port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the first chamber when the baffles are in the first position and with only the fifth chamber when the baffles are in the second position;

a seventh port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the second chamber when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the sixth chamber when the balfies are in the second position;

an eighth port located in a wall of the housing to be i communication with only the third chamber when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the fifth chamber when the baffies are in the second position; and

a ninth port located'in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the second chamber when the baffles are in the first position and with only the fourth chamber when the baffies are in the second position whereby the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth ports are selectively connectable by positioning the battles to a port in a group of ports consisting of the first, second, third, and fourth ports and to the fifth port.

3. An air housing comprising:

a square top wall, a square bottom wall parallel to the top wall, and a first, second, third, and fourth side wall intersecting the top and bottom walls to form a housing chamber; 1

four baffles;

means for movably mounting said baffles within the housing chamber, with said baflles generally perpendicular to the bottom and top walls and each rotatble about an axis generally perpendicular to the top and bottom wall, said axes each located at a different intersection of four lines, said lines each generally parallel to a different side of the top wall at a distance of substantially one-fourth of the length of a side of of the top wall, said baffles each rotatable about its respective axis to a first position to divide the housing chamber into a first, second, and third chamber with said second chamber located between said first and third chamber, and to a second position generally perpendicular to the first position to divide the housing chamber into a fourth, fifth, and sixth chamber with said fifth chamber located between said fourth and sixth chamber;

a first discharge port for exhausting air from the housing located in the bottom wall of the housing to be in communication with only the first chamber when the baffles are in the first position and with only the fourth chamber when the baifies are in the second position;

a second discharge port for exhausting air from the housing located in the bottom wall of the housing to be in communication with only the first chamber when the battles are in the first position and with only the sixth chamber when the baffles are in the second position;

a third discharge port for exhausting air from the housing located in the bottom wall of the housing to be in communication with only the third chamber when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the sixth chamber when the bafiles are in the second position;

a fourth discharge port for exhausting air from the housing located in a Wall of the housing to be in communication with only the third chamber when the bafiies are in the first position and when only the fourth chamber when the bafiles are in the second position;

a receiving port for receiving air into the housing located in the center of the bottom wall of the housing to be in communication with only the second chamber when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the fifth chamber when the batlles are in the second position;

a first air port located in the first side wall of the housing to be in communication with only the first chamber for receiving air into the housing when the baffles are in the first position and with only the fifth chamber for exhausting air from the housing when the bafiles are in the second position;

a second air port located in the second side wall of the housing to be in communication with only the second chamber for exhausting air from the housing when the bafiles are in the first position and with only the sixth chamber for receiving air into the housing when the baffles are in the second position;

a third air port located in the third side wall of the housing to be in communication with only the third chamber for receiving air into the housing when the baflles are in the first position and withonly the fifth chamber for exhausting air from the housing when the baflles are in the second position; and

a fourth air port located in a wall of the housing to be in communication with only the second chamber for exhausting air from the housing when the baffies are in the first position and with only the fourth chamber for receiving air into the housing when the bafiles are in the second position.

4. An air housing for controlling air fiow in a motor cooling system of the type having a motor housing en closing the motor, said motor housing having a retangular top wall, internal duct work, and a first, second, third, and fourth intake port each located in the top wall adjacent a different corner of the top wall and an exhaust port centrally located in the top wall, and said motor and motor housing having means for drawing air through the motor from the intake ports and exhausting the air through the exhaust port, said air housing comprising:

a top wall, a bottom wall juxtaposed the motor housing top wall, and side walls intersecting the top and bottom walls to form a housing chamber;

a plurality of bafiles;

means for movably mounting the bafiles within the housing chamber with said baffles each movable to a first cooperating position to divide the housing chamber into a first, second, and third chamber with said second chamber located between said first and third chamber, and to a second cooperating position generally perpendicular to the first position to divide the housing chamber into a fourth, fifth, and sixth chamber with said fifth chamber located between said fourth and sixth chamber;

a first discharge port located in the bottom wall of the air housing to connect the first intake port to only the first chamber when the baffles are in the first position and to only the fourth chamber when the baflles are in the second position;

a second discharge port located in the bottom wall of the air housing to connect the second intake port to only the first chamber when the bafiles are in the first V the air housing to connect the fourth intake portto a in communication with only the first chamber for re-'- ceiving air into the air housing when the baffles arein' position and to only the sixthchamber 'when' tlie hat-V;

fles are in the second position;

third discharge'port located in the bottom wall; of th air housing to -connect the third intake port to only fies are in the second position;

fourth discharge port located in the bottom;wallof only the third chamberawhen the baflies are in the first position and to only the fourth baflles are in the second position;

recei vingport located in the bottornwall of the ,air

housing to connect the exhaust port, to only the second chamber when the baflles are in the first position and to only the, fifthcharnber when the baffles are in the second position; r a V first air port locatedin a wall of the air housingv to be the first position and with only the fifth chamberfor exhausting air from the air housing when the bafiies for exhausting air from air housing when the bafiles are. in the first position and with only the sixth chamchamber when the egg 1 her for receiving air into the air housing iivhen the 5 I bafiles are in the sec'ondpositiorip: a

a third airl port located in a wall :rofthe .air honsing'to beini communication iwith'onlythe. third chamber for receiving air into the air housing when'the'bafiies arev in the .-first position and with only the fifth chamber: for Eexh'austing air; from-wtheiair housing; when the baflles are in the. second positionj 'and r V a fourth air port locatedinawall'ofithe air housing to" 10 be in communicationwith 'onlyfthe second chamber;

for exhausting air from the ainhousingjwhen the 'baf- V fies are inthe'first position and with only the fourth chamber. for'receiving air;into,the .airghofising" when 'thebaffies are in the second position; if

Reterences gCited by the Examiner j UNITED; STATES PATENTS f V I g 3,003,40819/61- 1 McCarty v CHARLES 'SUKA'LQ, Primary Ex a m iner, ROBERT A, ofLEARY, EDWARD .JQM

I'CHAEL,

Examiners. 

1. AN AIR HOUSING COMPRISING: A RECTANGULAR TOP WALL, A RECTANGULAR BOTTOM WALL, AND A FIRST AND SECOND PAIR OF PARALLEL SIDE WALLS WITH SAID PAIRS PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER, SAID WALLS INTERSECTING TO FORM A HOUSING CHAMBER; BAFFLES; MEANS FOR MOVABLY MOUNTING THE BAFFLES WITHIN THE HOUSING CHAMBER WITH SAID BAFFLES MOVABLE TO A SPACED APART FIRST POSITION PARALLEL TO THE FIRST PAIR OF SIDE WALLS TO DIVIDE THE HOUSING CHAMBER INTO A SIDE, CENTER, AND SIDE CHAMBER AND MOVABLE TO A SPACED APRAT SECOND POSITION PARALLEL TO THE SECOND PAIR OF SIDE WALLS TO DIVIDE THE HOUSING CHAMBER INTO ANOTHER SIDE, CENTER, AND SIDE CHAMBER; A FIRST SET OF FOUR PORTS LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM WALL WITH EACH LOCATED TO COMMUNICATE WITH ONLY A SIDE CHAM BER AND EACH ADJACENT A DIFFERENT CORNER OF THE BOTTOM WALL; A PORT CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM WALL; AND A SECOND SET OF FOUR PORTS EACH LOCATED IN A WALL TO COMMUNICATE WITH ONLY A SIDE CHAMBER WHEN THE BAFFLES ARE PARALLEL TO ONE PAIR OF SIDE WALLS AND TO COMMUNICATE WITH ONLY A CENTER CHAMBER WHEN THE BAFFLES ARE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID ONE PAIR OF SIDE WALLS. 